‘Saddened’: Veterans’ advocate laments local poppy box theft

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Saddened Veterans advocate laments local poppy box theft

Provincial police are asking for the public’s help after a poppy campaign donation box to support Canadian veterans was stolen from a Southwestern Ontario OnRoute location along Hwy. 401.

The theft occurred in the morning hours of Nov. 7 when someone at the West Lorne ONroute, located along the 401 about 40 minutes southwest of London, made away with the box, Elgin OPP said.

It’s unknown how much money was stolen in the theft, police said.

The OPP didn’t provide a description of the suspects but were asking anyone with information to contact Elgin County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Randy Warden is the Royal Canadian Legion’s past zone commander for the London area. He called the incident “disheartening”

“I’m saddened and disheartened (by) this sort of activity,” he said. “These funds go towards veteran causes and veteran programming, so it’s most unfortunate.”

Randy Warden, chairperson of the Royal Canadian Legion's Remembrance Day Committee in London, said he's saddened by the theft of a poppy campaign donation box from a service center on Highway 401 southwest of London. (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)
Randy Warden, chairperson of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Remembrance Day Committee in London, said he’s saddened by the theft of a poppy campaign donation box from a service center on Highway 401 southwest of London. (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)

Funds raised locally through the poppy campaign “remain in the area,” Warden said, adding that in London the money is used to support veterans at Parkwood Institute and other anti-homelessness initiatives.

Friday will be the first Remembrance Day ceremony to be held without any restrictions since before the start of COVID-19 in early 2020.

Warden said donation totals won’t be tallied until after Remembrance Day, but he said he’s optimistic based on the response he’s seen from the community.

“The initial feedback is quite favourable,” Warden said. “I think people are excited that we’re parading again this year, and I’ve been getting some good feedback about people wanting to attend this year. So I would hope that that translates into donations that will be put to good use.”

  1. Glenna and Arthur Stenning are one of the few couples at the veterans wing of Parkwood Hospital in London. It's not common for both spouses to have served the Canadian military, which is required to be able to get a bed. Photograph taken on Friday October 28, 2022. (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)

    A day in the life of London’s veterans’ care center

  2. Class helper Margaret Ryan assists Maryam Savage, 9, in making a biodegradable Remembrance Day poppy at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic elementary school in London on Nov. 3, 2022. Schoolchildren across the region are crafting compostable poppies infused with poppy seeds. After the observance of Remembrance Day, the poppies can be planted in gardens. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)

    Without vets, how will schoolkids learn about world wars?

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